Spartans rally around senior Rashaun Smith, defeat Pirates

Wednesday

Feb 13, 2013 at 3:15 PM

Chuck Embree, MI Sports Reporter

Although Tanner Wetrich certainly had a big night putting in three 3-pointers to score a game-high 19 points Tuesday, pacing Moberly to a convincing 59-37 home victory against Boonville, it would be hard to argue that the spotlight shown brightly on Rashaun Smith and that last night’s home game belonged to this Spartan senior.

Smith had the fortitude, mind set and strength to suit up and play in his next to last basketball home game just two days of having his loving mother suddenly die after an illness, and the 18-year old performed one of his more solid games wearing a Spartans uniform.

Smith muscled in 8 of his 13 points in the first half and played unselfishly as he set four screens for teammates in which points were scored. He also had at least five rebounds, two assists and would contest a number of Boonville shots before he stepped off the floor with about 2 minutes remaining to a round of applause by Moberly fans, many of whom stood in his honor.

“I would suspect that our team had Rashaun and the passing of his mom on their mind and really wanted to go out and do their best for him and his family. There may be a lot of people who don’t know Rashaun, and that’s too bad because he really is a special young man. He is very thoughtful and caring, and right now he is going through a very tough time,” said Moberly varsity boys coach Mark Anderson. “Rashaun made the decision of him playing tonight and we would have honored any decision that he wanted to do even if he chose to sit this one out. I think this game helped him, and with him being around his teammates only helped his healing process and makes him more comfortable I think. It was certainly nice to see him on the court tonight and he really gave the team a great effort.”

Against the Pirates of Boonville (12-12, 6-6 NCMC), Moberly kept matters well in control on both ends of the floor pretty much the entire game.

Sophomore J’Von Spiller’s free throw with 0:02 left gave Moberly a 16-10 first quarter lead, and Boonville never got any closer.

Halftime score was 28-16 and after the third the Spartans led 47-30.

Junior Justin Connaway dropped in three 3s to score 11 points for the cause. Alshaun Oliver had three points, Andrew Garrison chipped in two and Scott Mason made a free throw.

“This is the time to be playing well. After us losing Acie (Seifert) and Daniel (Collier) to injury for the season it would be easy for us to tuck our tail between our legs and say the season is over,” said coach Anderson. “But our guys would have none of that. They have done a very good job of re-inventing ourselves, making adjustments a little bit in our role play. I think our offense has been really good.”

“I think we are guarding much better now, our shot selection has been outstanding the past few games and all of that showed tonight.”

At the stripe, Moberly went 5-for-9 and the Pirates made 8 of 10.Jay Barnhart led Boonville with 12 points scored. Gus Kemp and Ta’Vious Brazil added seven and six points respectively.